Auger too Small?

Hey guys, longtime lurker here. I’m getting ready for my first season of ice fishing, and I have a situation with my auger.

I received a strikemaster lazer hand auger for my birthday last month. I had put the 5″ model on my Cabelas wishlist, although I wanted a 6″ (they didn’t have 6″). From what I have read, 5″ would be sufficient for the panfish I plan on catching, and hopefully anything else I might tangle with. Plus the small diameter should make the holes easier to drill.

Well, it sat in the box for the last few weeks, until I recently started seeing ice on local ponds and I couldn’t take it anymore, I opened it.

I immediately noticed how small it was, and I rechecked the box. LD-5 is what the sticker on the box read, BUT, the cardboard flap on the end of the box (which was covered by the other flap until I tore it open) said LD-4.

I’m pretty sure this is a 4″ auger, I haven’t measured it yet, but it’s smaller in diameter than a DVD.

So, I’m not sure what to do, it was a gift from my parents, and it came from a Cabelas 2 hrs away from me. Furthermore, according to the website, Cabelas only carries 5,7, and 8 inch lazer augers. 4″ is too small right? What should I do? What do you guys think about small augers?

Thanks,
Brian

I know a handful of guys who use a 4″ and in my mind it is too small. I use a 5″ and have gotten 15″ whitebass through the hole. i have only once had a big white crappie stuck in the hole. It sucks that the store is so far away. I would call the store and see if they might send you a new one. I know cabelas will go the extra mile to please the customer. I’ve heard of them doing that so I wish you luck but I would definitely go with the 5″. Good luck, Dan

Welcome to IDO 1313

I just checked the StrikeMaster site and they currently don’t list a LD-4.

Maybe they discontinued the 4″??

You won’t have a problem sending it back if it

was mismarked. They might require you to purchase a replacement

and then they’ll credit your card when they

get the other one back. (If you don’t want to wait for

the return to be processed)

Ask them to to credit the return shipping charges as well.

Let us know how it turned out.

I use a 5 for my early season on ice adventures.I have pulled a 32 in northern up the hole,i did have to pull it a little to get it up!I have no problem w pan fish or walleyes. good luck w your decision…did you measure your auger? The may have printed one box and just folded the correct flap up.

I’m heading down to Prairie Du Chien Wednesday night. I’d be happy to help you out. Not sure where you are located. 4″ is too small in my opinion, especially when the ice gets past that 12″ mark. I’m an 8″ guy. It’s mostly genetic

No wonder I run a 9″…. … 4″…. never heard of that ???

big G

I run a 10 and a quarter. Auger that is. I use it for northerns as well and bigger is better. I know it doesn’t cut as fast and is much heavier than the smaller augers, but when it is extremely cold it takes much longer for the hole to freeze shut.

I love my 4 inch auger!

In the early season I use my hand auger but after the ice is over a foot thick I switch to gas auger. It is all preference If you want 5 or 7 that is up to you. I never go bigger than and 8 inch hole 10’s are foot eaters! Snow will blow over and in ya go! I have seen 50+ inch sturgeon come up a 8 inch hole.

First of all, thanks to all of you for helping me with this.

I measured the auger and it is 5″ at the blades. Earlier, I had compared its diameter to a DVD, but I was comparing the part of the auger further up than the blades (this part is smaller.) Walleyedds was right about looking for the proper markings (LD5) on the other flap on the box. They were obscured under a shipping label.

I’m going to keep this auger, especially after reading some of the reassuring comments posted about specific fish that some of you have fit through 5″ holes.

I’m sure I’ll be back with more questions in the coming weeks.

Thanks again,

Brian

Quote:

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I’m heading down to Prairie Du Chien Wednesday night.

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That’s gonna be a long drive if the snow hits us like they say when they say

I know. Not too excited about the drive. I’m doing a 2 day workshop for the students in Wauzeka-Steuben School District. I figured I better stay at the Country Inn and Suites right next to Cabela’s.

They use the same box for each auger and just leave the flap you can read on the outside for which one it is. I just picked up a 6 at our hardware store. They make them Cabelas just doesn’t carry the 6 which is the best one I think for speed and multiple species targeted. We have some ice on the edges of Lake Wingra yesterday and with cold temps I could see Sunday be the start of the season here in Mad town in areas like Cherokee park, the Monona bay and triangles, Waubesa swamp. I am pleased the snow is going to hit liquid water. All that snow on thin ice would delay us by weeks.

Why wait until you have to have it? Besides if you got a nice fish and could not pull it out of the hole you would be kicking your self all the way home. Heck take everything with you and make it into a fishing road trip.